"PHANTASY STAR"

FADE IN:

EXT. SPACE

In the distance, a single star shines brightly. The camera ZOOMS closer to the star, slowly at first, then gaining speed, until we arrive in


EXT. ALGO STAR SYSTEM - DEZORIS

NARRATOR (V.O.)
Somewhere in space, three planets and a sparkling sun make up the Algo Star System, a peaceful set of worlds. Dezoris, a world of ice, orbits farthest from the sun.

Camera quickly PANS across the system itself, focusing on the first planet.

NARRATOR (V.O.)
Closest to the star, the desert world Motavia spins in orbit, a tempting destination for brave colonists from...

Finally, the camera PANS to the middle planet, the beautiful green world of Palma.

NARRATOR (V.O.)
...Palma, the crown jewel of the system... the center of life in Algo... and the source of the darkness which threatens to tear all of Algo into destruction...

The camera ZOOMS closer to Palma, until it actually enters the atmosphere, and arrives at a


EXT. MEADOW - DAY

A young girl, six years old, happily runs with her older brother through the grass of the meadow, down a hill. The nine year old boy, NERO LANDALE, runs ahead of his younger sister ALIS LANDALE.

ALIS
Nero! Wait up, Nero!

NERO
C'mon, Alis, try to catch me!

OPENING CREDITS roll as we see the children slowly grow up together in a MONTAGE of scenes. As they grow older, they continue to grow closer. We do not see parents; though they have caretakers, Nero and Alis, for the most part, only have each other.

Even as they age into teenagers, the two obviously remain close. Finally, we see Alis as a 15 year old girl, and Nero as a handsome, smiling 18 year old young man.

CAPTION: SPACE CENTURY 342. CAMINEET ON PALMA.

CUT TO:

EXT. CAMINEET - STREET - DAY

Suddenly, Nero is no longer handsome and smiling. His face is now badly bruised and bleeding, while he grimaces in pain, his nose mere inches from the pavement of the street.

Two SECURITY OFFICERS clad in high-tech combat armor kick the defenseless Nero and pummel him with the butts of the laser rifles they carry.

FIRST COP
You were warned not to sniff around in King Lassic's affairs!

A kick from the first security officer turns Nero around, flat on his back.

SECOND COP
Now you're never going to sniff again.

The second officer smashes his boot down onto Nero's nose.

After a few more kicks to his head, the security officers nod in appreciation of a job well done.

FIRST COP
We trust you've learned your lesson.
SECOND COP
But just in case...

The second security officer raises his laser rifle and fires a single shot into Nero's chest. The already brutalized Nero yells in agony as the officers walk away, chuckling softly to themselves.

After the cops are safely gone, a hesitant crowd gathers around Nero. Pushing to the front of the crowd is a woman, SUELO, and right behind her comes a man, NEKISE. Each of them appear to be in their late 30s or early 40s.

SUELO
Nero! Nero!

Suelo gently cradles Nero's head in her lap, with the careful demeanor of a trained healer.

NEKISE
Nero?

Nekise looks away towards the back of the crowd, motions for someone to hurry over.

NEKISE
Alis!

A moment later, Alis finds her way to the front of the crowd, where she REACTS to the sight of her badly beaten brother.

ALIS
Nero!

She runs to his side and takes his hand into her own. He looks at her, with his nose crushed, one eye swollen shut, his cheeks purple with bruise...

NERO
Alis... Alis, listen...

SUELO
Nero, we need to get you to the hospital.

NERO
Alis... King Lassic... he is leading our world into ruin.

ALIS
What? Lassic?
(looks to Nekise)
Nekise, can you carry him?

NERO
Alis, listen! I tried to learn Lassic's secrets, but I... I couldn't do much on my own... except get killed.

ALIS
Nero, don't say that!

NERO
You need to find a man... a warrior... named Odin. I have heard of him. He conquered Medusa. He must be... as strong... as strong as Perseus himself... He's from Scion, I think... Surely he can... he can help you to free our world from Lassic...

ALIS
What... what are you saying? You want me to...
(shakes her head, turns to Nekise)
We need to get him to the hospital!

NERO
Lassic is a tyrant. He'll destroy us all. You must stop him, Alis. You must... for me. Grant me my dying wish, please...

Nero's eyes flutter.

ALIS
No, Nero, please! Please don't die!

NERO
I know... you can... stop him... I love you, Alis...

ALIS
I need you, Nero! Don't leave me!

Nero dies in Suelo's lap. Alis lays her head down on his wounded chest and cries. The crowd around him disperses in melancholy, until only Suelo, Alis, and Nekise remain.

FADE TO BLACK

FADE IN:

EXT. CAMINEET - STREET - DUSK

It is now much later in the day, and Alis walks the streets of her city as the sun sets. She has obviously been crying, and her tears have not altogether stopped.

She stops in her tracks and watches as down and across the street, two more of Lassic's Cops stop a woman walking down the street, holding the hand of a child.

FIRST COP
Where are you going, ma'am?

WOMAN
Home -- just up the street.

SECOND COP
We're going to need to see some identification.

Nekise comes up behind Alis, placing a hand on her shoulder, and they continue walking.

NEKISE
Don't stare, Alis. It might draw their attention to you.

ALIS
And what if I don't have an ID card? Will they kill me, too?
(pause)
I know I'm young, Nekise. But it wasn't always like this, was it? Growing up, you and Suelo always told Nero and I that if we needed help, the Security Cops were our friends. How could a friend have killed my brother?

NEKISE
The cops haven't changed, Alis. Those men still have to follow their orders. What's changed is the man giving those orders.

ALIS
King Lassic.

NEKISE
Up until a year or two ago, Lassic was a good king, almost as good as King Ossale before him. Then the castle disappeared, and taxes started going higher and higher... The shipping lanes were sealed...

Alis looks back over her shoulder at the woman and her child and the two security cops.

FIRST COP
We're going to let you off with a warning this time. But next time, you will be carted off to jail, and your kid will be placed in a foster home. Do you understand that, lady?

ALIS
(turning back to Nekise)
It's not right. We're free people. What's happening to this world?

NEKISE
(shrugs)
Long live the good King Lassic.

CUT TO:

INT. LANDALE HOME - NIGHT

As Nekise and Alis walk in the front door, Suelo quickly calls their attention to the newsbeam.

SUELO
You're home! Come look at this -- King Lassic is closing the spaceport!

NEKISE
By the stars...

The three of them gather around the newsbeam, and watch as KING LASSIC himself appears on the screen.

LASSIC (On Screen)
I understand that the closing of the spaceport will be an inconvenience to many Palman citizens, but I assure you all that it is a completely necessary precaution, for your own safety. Just as I had to close the shipping lanes to prevent the anarchists from spreading their terror across Palma, also must I close the spaceport, to prevent the anarchists from terrorizing Motavia and Dezoris.
(beat)
However, I also have some good news. My security patrols report that there is one less anarchist in the city of Camineet tonight, thanks to their valiant efforts.

NEKISE
(stunned)
Don't tell me...

An image of Nero, as if from an ID card, comes on the screen in a small corner box. Suelo and Nekise react to the image. Alis reacts simply by staring, calmly, at the screen.

LASSIC (O.S.)
The anarchist has been identified as Nero Landale, an 18 year old man whom security attempted to arrest for attempting to bomb several homes in Camineet... homes where children live.

NEKISE
That lying son of a bitch!

LASSIC (O.S.)
When Landale resisted, security had no choice but to use force, in order to protect the innocent citizens of Camineet. To the officers involved in the incident today: your king, and your fellow countrymen, salute you.

Having heard enough, Nekise angrily turns off the newsbeam.

NEKISE
How dare he... how dare he insult Nero like that?

Suelo attempts to calm her husband.

SUELO
Let's just forget about this, okay? Let's just make our plans for Nero's funeral.

NEKISE
You heard what he said about Nero. He called him a criminal! He said he attacked the cops!

SUELO
I'm just as upset about it as you are, but there's nothing we can do about it.

ALIS
Yes there is.

Nekise and Suelo turn to Alis, who still stares blankly at the now darkened newsbeam screen.

ALIS
I'm leaving in the morning. I'm going to find this man, Odin. And I'm going to ask for his help to stop Lassic.

Nekise places an arm around Alis.

NEKISE
Alis... I know you're upset.

Alis snaps out of her trance, looks to Nekise.

ALIS
I'm going to bed now. I have a long day ahead of me tomorrow. I'll have to start early if I want to make it to Scion by dark.

Alis starts out of the room.

SUELO
Alis, talk to us, please? Honey, you can't just--

ALIS
The two of you raised Nero and I to fight for what is right, didn't you?

NEKISE
Of course, Alis, but doing that is what got Nero killed. Sometimes... sometimes our hands are tied. Lassic is strong, and his power is vast. You, or me, or Nero... none of us can do much on our own.

ALIS
That's why I must find this man, Odin.

SUELO
Alis, please... You know that Nekise and I love you as if you were our own children. Today we lost one of you. I wouldn't be able to bear losing another one of you tomorrow.

Alis lowers her head. She understands their concerns, but they do not yet understand hers.

ALIS
If I don't do this, Suelo, I'll die. Maybe I won't stop breathing, but in here
(points to her heart)
I'll die. Tomorrow, the two of you can bury Nero and say prayers over his grave, but I can't honor his memory that way, not right now.
(beat)
The things that are happening to our world aren't right. And I have to do something about it.

Alis leaves the room. Nekise and Suelo remain, unsure what to do.

FADE TO BLACK

FADE IN:

INT. LANDALE HOME - ALIS'S ROOM - MORNING

Alis, obviously packing for a long trip, places things in a backpack. She finishes, zipping the backpack, and then throws it over her shoulders, heading towards her bedroom door.


INT. LANDALE HOME - MAIN ROOM - CONTINUOUS

When Alis steps into the main room, she is somewhat shocked to see Nekise and Suelo sitting on the sofa, waiting for her. At first, Alis is unclear as to what their intentions are. She opens her mouth as if to speak, but Suelo beats her to it.

SUELO
I suppose we taught you... too well.

Alis smiles; there won't be any resistance to her leaving. Suelo stands and walks towards Alis. Alis meets her halfway and they share an embrace.

SUELO
I want to give you something, though, before you leave.

Suelo steps to a satchel that lays in front of the sofa. She picks it up and hands it towards Alis.

SUELO
Here, take it. But be careful! It's...

Alis takes the bag, but unprepared for its weight, she drops it to the floor with a loud metal bang.

SUELO (CONT.)
...heavy.

Surprised by the weight and the sound, Alis kneels down and unties the bag. She peeks inside, reacts with surprise...

CUT TO:

INT. LANDALE HOME - FRONT ROOM - MINUTES LATER

Alis again emerges from her bedroom. Her backpack is still across her shoulders, but this time, she is clad in a striking suit of armor, and she carries in her right hand a short sword.

ALIS
Suelo... where on Palma did you get this?

SUELO
When I was younger, I would often go hunting with my father, out in the woods.

ALIS
You? A huntress? I can't imagine that. You're a healer!

SUELO
What do you think prompted me to take up healing? I hated seeing those animals suffer.

ALIS
I guess that's why this feels like new. You didn't use it much, did you?

SUELO
Hardly at all. In fact, I've wanted to sell that stuff for years. But for various reasons, I never got around to it. All for the best, I suppose. I trust you'll put it to good use.

Again, Alis and Suelo hug. Meanwhile, Nekise stands and steps towards the women, his hands behind his back.

Alis breaks away from Suelo to look towards Nekise.

NEKISE
I wanted to give you something, too, but I didn't know what. So... I don't know if this is much, but...

He brings his arms from around his back, and in them he holds a small metal pot.

ALIS
It's... it's a pot.

NEKISE
Well it's not just any old pot, you know. It's made out of one hundred percent pure laconia!

Alis and Suelo exchange an amused grin, holding in their laughter.

NEKISE
(slightly defensive)
A pot can be very useful! You can store water in it, or food. You can... well, you can do lots of things with it!

Alis takes the pot and smiles.

ALIS
I'm sure it will come in very useful. Thank you, Nekise.

She leans forward and plants a kiss on his cheek. Nekise then pulls her towards him for a close hug.

NEKISE
We understand that this is something you have to do, and we won't stop you. Just please be careful. And please come home to us safely.

ALIS
I will.

FADE TO:

EXT. CAMINEET - STREET - DAY

Alis strolls down the street confidently, her sword in a scabbard that hangs from her belt, and the Laconian Pot hanging from the side of her backpack.

She approaches the gates of the city -- specifically, a small dome which contains an elevator that leads down to ground level. (The city Camineet rests on a platform above the ground.) Two of Lassic's Security Cops guard the dome. One of them sees Alis approaching, and he nudges his companion in the ribs to get his attention. They chuckle, and wait for Alis to approach.

FIRST COP
And just where do you think you're going, kid?

ALIS
I'm leaving the city. Going bird watching in the woods. The woods aren't closed, like the spaceport, are they?

SECOND COP
You'd better watch your tongue, girl.

Alis glares at the Cop.

FIRST COP
Look, kid, it's dangerous out there. Unless you hope to die, you'd better just stay here in the city.

ALIS
Yeah. People never die in the city, do they?

Stepping past the Cops, Alis steps into the dome's elevator and descends.

When the elevator's descent ends, Alis steps out into the grassy plain and looks around. The Camineet residential district is surrounded by a tall wall. A roadway -- also elevated off the ground, like Camineet -- connects the city to the spaceport, which is connected to another nearby city, Parolit.

However, Alis's attention is focused on the opening in the perimeter wall -- her destination, the first step on the road to Scion.

She takes a deep breath, looks towards the sky.

ALIS
Watch over and protect me, Nero.

She then starts walking towards the opening in the wall.

FADE TO:

EXT. PALMA

In a MONTAGE of scenes, we watch as Alis marches her way east across the Palman prairie. First, we see her walking through high grass, swinging her sword before her, half in an effort to clear a path, half simply to keep herself occupied.

Next, we see her stopping in the middle of a field of short, green grass. She has tied her hair back in a ponytail, and she stops to drink water from a canteen.

In the next scene, we see Alis walking through a path in a small grove of trees. There is a rustling in a nearby shrub, and Alis quickly draws her sword from her scabbard, keeping her eyes focused on the jostling in the shrub.

A second later, a small squirrel tentatively pokes its head out of the shrub, and glances at Alis. Alis smiles, puts her sword away, and then motions for the squirrel to cross the road. It quickly emerges from its hiding place and disappears up a tree on the other side of the path. Alis continues on.

Finally, we find Alis in another field, this one mostly wide open except for a few trees. Alis sits at the base of one of the trees, her backpack off and resting in front of her, as she pulls a burger from her bag and starts to unwrap it.

A small fly buzzes her head and her food; she shoos it away with her hand. It circles back, comes in for another pass. Again, she dismisses it with a wave.

Suddenly, a much, much larger fly -- a Sworm -- buzzes past her head, knocking into it, and tossing Alis onto her side. Her burger falls from her hand as the Sworm swings around for another pass. She at least sees it coming this time, but still, all she can do is roll out of the way.

As it comes around buzzing for another pass, she covers her head and rolls again, then again. Finding herself near her knapsack, she quickly unhooks the Laconian Pot, and as the Sworm flies around towards her again, she swings the Pot through the air. It slams into the Sworm squarely, almost instantly flattening the bug, which is then knocked against the nearby tree. It then falls to the ground and does not move.

Out of breath, more from shock than physical exertion, Alis looks at the dead Sworm -- a fly bigger than her head -- and then looks at the Laconian Pot in her hand.

ALIS
(a chuckle)
Thanks, Nekise.

Alis sits back down for the rest of her lunch.

FADE TO:

EXT. SCION - DUSK

Alis steps into the city of Scion, a dock town near the ocean. The men who worked on the docks before Lassic closed the ports sit around near their ships, nothing better to do than look at Alis suspiciously as she strolls down the street, casually taking in her surroundings.

She pauses, looks upon a group of dock workers who are staring at her. A 15 year old girl with a sword isn't something one sees every day. She gives them a cautious smile. They scoff and turn away.

Eyeing a nearby general store, Alis turns and walks towards it, stepping inside.


INT. SCION GENERAL STORE - CONTINUOUS

The store is an Algoian version of a convenience store, and the man behind the counter, Whitman, watches Alis as suspiciously as the dock workers did.

ALIS
(hesitant smile)
Hello.

WHITMAN
What can I do for you?

Before answering, Alis closes the store door behind her, and starts to step across the shop, towards the counter.

ALIS
I'm not from around here.

WHITMAN
No?

Alis detects the slight sarcasm in Whitman's voice but chooses to ignore it.

ALIS
No, I'm from Camineet. I'm here looking for someone. I wondered if maybe you could point me in the right direction.

WHITMAN
Sorry, kid, but the nearest sideshow is back the way you came from, in Parolit. What do you do with that sword, you some kind of animal tamer?

ALIS
I'm looking for a man named Odin.

Whitman breaks out into laughter.

WHITMAN
I'm sitting here trying to make jokes -- I should have just waited for you to speak, you're making them for me! What are you, some kind of fan club? You fancy yourself an adventurer the same as Odin?

ALIS
Oh, you know him. Could you point me in his direction, please? Then I'll be out of your way and you can laugh at your little jokes all day long.

Suddenly, Whitman isn't amused anymore.

WHITMAN
You watch your tongue, young lady. Now I think it's about time that you just run along back home, I'm running a business here, and I don't have time for pranks like this.

ALIS
This is no prank. I'm looking for Odin.

WHITMAN
Do you have a deaf ear or something?

ALIS
No, all I've got is a dead brother who's being put six feet under today thanks to King Lassic and his men. Now I know I'm young, I know I can barely swing this sword, and I know I probably do look like something out of a circus show but my brother's dying wish was that I find this man named Odin, and last I heard, we still honored the dead by fulfilling their wishes.

Alis pauses, stares the man down. Whitman is silent, unable to make words.

ALIS
But who knows, so much of this world has changed now, maybe that's changed, too. I'm sorry to have disrupted your business.
(glances around the empty store)
I hope I didn't disturb your customers too much.

Alis turns and heads for the door. As her hand rests on the handle, ready to open it--

WHITMAN
Wait.

Alis turns, drills her eyes into the shop owner.

WHITMAN
Look... Look, as you can probably tell, business isn't all that great these days. Having a shop near the docks is great when boats are coming in and heading out all day, but since Lassic banned sea travel...
(pause)
I'm sorry to hear about your brother.

Alis takes two steps back into the shop, away from the door.

ALIS
Where can I find Odin?

WHITMAN
I don't know, I haven't seen him around for a few weeks now.

ALIS
I heard he was from Scion.

WHITMAN
He is.

ALIS
What can you tell me about him? I don't know anything, except his name, and that he's the warrior who defeated Medusa.

WHITMAN
(laughs)
Well, people 'round here tell a lot of stories about Odin, and not all of them are true. If he'd have killed Medusa, well, he's always saying he's gonna kill Medusa some day, and we've never once believed him, so we would've expected him to produce her snake-haired head to back up his claim, you know?
(beat)
But as I was saying, I haven't seen him for several weeks.

ALIS
Is he normally gone this long?

WHITMAN
(shrugs)
That's hard to say. He's been off on his adventures before sometimes for days, sometimes for weeks. But to be honest with you? To tell you what my gut tells me?
(pause)
I don't like it. I don't like it one bit. I'm a little worried, to be honest with you.

ALIS
Is there anyone else who might know more? Anyone who has seen him more recently?

WHITMAN
Nah, the only person who would know exactly what happened is Myau.

ALIS
Who's Myau?

WHITMAN
A better question might be "What's Myau?" Myau is a cat, a pet of Odin's. They'd both kill me if they heard me call him a pet, but I'm sorry, I can't consider a cat an equal partner in adventure, or whatever it is Odin calls him. Even if Myau is a Musk Cat.

ALIS
Musk Cat?

WHITMAN
Nah. Nah, if I told you, you'd call me crazy and wouldn't believe anything else I've told you here today. Last time I saw Myau he was with Odin, and that was the last time I saw Odin. They were headed off on an adventure together, but they didn't say what. If you find Myau, though, he might be able to help you find Odin. Or vice versa.

ALIS
(raises eyebrow)
The cat can help me find Odin?

WHITMAN
I told you, I'm not gonna say a word. Just look for a yellow cat with long ears like a rabbit's and fluffy tail like a squirrel's.

ALIS
How could I miss such a thing?
(beat)
Sir, if you're joking with me, just tell me now. I'm very serious about th--

WHITMAN
(interrupts)
I ain't joking with you. I'll help you however I can.
(beat)
Sorry about your brother.

ALIS
(nods)
I suppose, then, I'll head back home and then go over to Parolit. There's an exotics pet store there that they say is one of the best in Algo. Maybe they can tell me where I can find a... a Musk Cat.

WHITMAN
I wish you luck, young lady.

ALIS
Thank you.

CUT TO:

INT. DARK CASTLE - LASSIC'S CHAMBER - NIGHT

The darkness of the room tells us it is night, and the room itself is lit only by candles. Here, in the center of the room, the king of the Algo system, Lassic, kneels on a cushion, surrounded by candles, some in tall candelabras, some sitting directly on the floor. He seems to be in meditation, his eyes closed.

There is a knock at the room's single wooden door.

LASSIC
Enter, Lusar.

The door opens and in walks Lusar, Lassic's aide. His robes are similar in style to Lassic's, except where Lassic's are painted in dark reds and blues, and trimmed with yellows, Lusar's robes are as jet black as his hair.

LUSAR
The report you requested, your majesty.

Lusar enters the room, closes the door behind him. Lassic opens his eyes, pausing from his meditation, but he does not stand or turn towards Lusar; he remains kneeled on his cushion, back to his aide.

LASSIC
Day one of the spaceports being closed to general traffic. How are the new taxes on space travel being taken by the populace?

LUSAR
As expected, very few have been able to pay the exorbitant fees for a passport, and there has been considerable outrage at the fact that all older passports have been canceled.

Lassic reacts to the report of the unrest and despair amongst the people with a smile.

LASSIC
(closes eyes)
Yes... I can feel their pain, their fervor. All across Palma, Lusar, the people are crumbling into despair.

LUSAR
Your policies are nothing if not effective, your majesty.
(beat)
Your nightly prayers, sire?

LASSIC
Our god demands worship, Lusar. It is not enough to feed him by stirring the peoples' emotions. You know this.

LUSAR
Of course, sir. I am off to my own prayers now.

LASSIC
As you were, then.

LUSAR
(starts to leave, pauses)
How long do you think it will be, your majesty, before our god is strong and humbles us with his presence?

LASSIC
Not long, Lusar. Not long. Leave me now, to my prayers.

LUSAR
Good night, your majesty.

Lusar leaves, closing the door behind him. Lassic immediately returns to his meditation.

LASSIC
I feel you growing stronger, my master. I, your faithful disciple, will feed your awakening, your return to this world, and when you arrive, I will stand next to your right hand as you destroy this planet and all of the others.
(beat)
I feel your love, my master. And soon, all of Algo will feel your rage.

FADE TO:

EXT. PAROLIT - EARLY MORNING

Alis walks down the street, Suelo at her side. The sun is just rising above the city. In the distance, a space ship takes off from the nearby spaceport.

SUELO
(glances at the Laconian pot hanging from Alis's belt)
Nekise would be so pleased to see that you like his... his gift.

ALIS
Yeah, it's come in handy.

SUELO
Dear, please come home and rest. I can't believe you traveled all night from Scion.

ALIS
I took a nap in the woods. But then I was awakened by the sound of a pair of Maneaters coming my way, so I got up and ran for it. I've been awake on adrenaline ever since.

SUELO
Alis, you've been up for 24 hours straight, most of that time marching across the forests to Scion and back. You need some sleep. And I'm sure you're feet could use a break from those hiking boots.

ALIS
You don't want to be anywhere near my feet right now, Suelo. Trust me.

SUELO
Where are we going, anyway? Why are we over in Parolit at this hour?

ALIS
Because I need to make sure I'm there right when they--

Across the street from where Alis and Suelo stand is a store marked "EXOTIC PETS." A man opens the door from the inside, steps out and flips the CLOSED sign around to read OPEN, and then steps back inside.

ALIS (CONT.)
(with a smile)
Open.

The two cross the street and head inside the shop.


INT. PAROLIT EXOTIC PETS STORE - THAT MOMENT

The shopkeeper, Keeth, has just returned to his post behind his counter as the two women enter the store.

KEETH
Good morning.

ALIS
Good morning.

Alis glances around the shop. The cages and tanks scattered around the room contain small, furred animals and fish. A monkey-like creature shrieks to grab Alis's attention. When Alis flashes it a smile, it ceases its cacophony, and silently chirps to itself.

Alis and Suelo start to look around the store.

KEETH
Is there anything I can help you find today, ladies?

SUELO
We're, umm... We're looking for...

She glances to Alis, still unaware of just why, exactly, they're here. Alis is in her own world, glancing around the store... until she sees a cage stationed behind the counter.

In it, a yellow cat -- a cat with tall, long ears like a rabbit and a fluffy, bushy tail like a squirrel -- stares her down with its big green eyes. It looks out past its cage at her from a rigid face, betraying no emotion but mild curiosity. Around its neck is a small bottle of pink fluid.

ALIS
(points to the yellow cat)
How much for the cat?

Keeth glances back at the Musk Cat, then looks over Alis and Suelo.

KEETH
I mean no offense, of course, but he is very expensive. He is a rare breed--

ALIS
Is he a Musk Cat?

KEETH
You know your zoology. Then you must also know--

ALIS
(again interrupting)
Is his name Myau?

The cat's ears raise up the slightest bit. The cat obviously wishes to betray nothing, but that small hint is enough for Alis, who has been making eye contact with the animal the entire time. She catches the almost imperceptible ear movement and smiles broadly at the animal. The cat makes no response.

KEETH
I don't know, he won't tell me what his name is.

Alis and Suelo exchange a glance.

SUELO
What's that supposed to mean?

Keeth is now the one confused.

KEETH
Just... just how much do you know about Musk Cats?

ALIS
I know the name and the description, and I know that I'm looking for one named Myau.

KEETH
(shrugs)
I don't know if his name is Myau or not, but here's your next lesson on Musk Cats. They're very rare, and thus very expensive.

Alis reaches into a small bag tied to her belt, pulls out some coins.

ALIS
I have 200 meseta.

KEETH
(a polite smile)
That's not enough, miss.

Suelo steps forward.

SUELO
I have 50 more.

KEETH
I'm sorry, ladies, but you're not even close. I'm sorry.

ALIS
How much are we talking here?

KEETH
If I held out, I could get one billion meseta for him.

ALIS
One billion meseta?

SUELO
No one has that kind of meseta these days. Not even before Lassic ruined the economy did anyone save probably King Ossale himself have that kind of meseta!

KEETH
I know, I know it. But I still have to make a reasonable profit here, and 250 meseta is... well, it's far from reasonable, let's just say that.

Alis looks Keeth in the eye, then again stares at the Musk Cat. Suelo puts her hand on Alis's shoulder; she's ready to leave.

KEETH
But perhaps we could arrange a trade...?

Keeth has Alis's attention again.

ALIS
What kind of a trade?

KEETH
That pot there. It's laconian, isn't it?

Alis and Suelo share another look. Alis unhooks the pot from her belt and takes it into her hands.

ALIS
It sure is. Manufactured by Palman artisans from laconia straight from Dezoris.

KEETH
Incredible. I would consider the pot for the Musk Cat to be a fair trade.

Alis smiles, hefts the pot in her hands, as if she needs the time to think it over. She and Suelo share a smile.

ALIS
(under her breath)
Thanks, Nekise.

She hands the pot to Keeth.


EXT. PAROLIT - OUTSIDE PET STORE

Alis and Suelo leave the pet store, the Musk Cat trotting ahead of them by a few steps.

SUELO
Well, you got your pet. Now would you please come home and get some sleep?

ALIS
How do you suppose I go about finding out if this is Myau?

SUELO
Who's Myau?

The cat -- who is indeed Myau -- stops, turns around, rests on his hind legs... and speaks.

MYAU
I'm Myau.

Alis and Suelo simply stare at the cat for a long moment.

ALIS
You know, sleep sounds good, Suelo. 'Cause now I'm hallucinating.

MYAU
We can be fellow travelers. What's your name? And how come you were looking for me?

Suelo simply stares, her mouth dropped open. Alis crouches down before Myau.

ALIS
You can TALK?

MYAU
Sure. I'm a Musk Cat.

ALIS
Oh. Of course. That explains everything.

MYAU
You came in there looking for me, didn't you? Are you a friend of Odin's?

ALIS
You know ODIN?

SUELO
Alis, dear... Myau... umm... perhaps this is not the best place to be having this... err... conversation?

Alis glances around. Armor-clad Security Officers patrol the street, stopping a man to check his ID and question him.

Across the way, Alis spots more stores. She gestures for the others to follow, and they move across the street.


EXT. PAROLIT - A MOMENT LATER

They enter a space between two stores, and start walking their way around behind the buildings. Alis again crouches before Myau.

ALIS
How do you know Odin?

MYAU
We're adventuring buddies. How do you know him?

ALIS
I don't. Not yet anyway. But I'd like to. Lassic's security forces killed my brother yesterday. His dying wish was for me to find Odin. He thought maybe the two of us together could stop Lassic.

MYAU
Stop Lassic? You mean kill him!

Both Alis and Suelo instantly SHHHHH Myau, and they glance around to make sure no security officers overheard them.

MYAU
(a whisper)
Odin can beat anybody, even Lassic. Odin's the greatest fighter in Algo!

ALIS
Can you take me to him?

MYAU
Sure. Only... he's been turned to stone.

SUELO
Turned to stone?

MYAU
He said he'd finally tracked down Medusa, and we found her in a cave, but she turned him into stone. He'll be okay with this medicine--

Myau shakes the bottle that hangs around his neck.

MYAU
But... I can't open the bottle.

ALIS
(smiles)
That's okay. I can open it for you. Where is Odin now?

MYAU
He's still in the cave. We're in Parolit, right? It's only a few hours south of here.

SUELO
No. Rest, rest! You need rest, Alis, before you go another step further.

MYAU
Is she your mom?

ALIS
The closest thing I've ever had to one, at least. I never knew my mother, or my father. They died when I was very young.

Myau's ears fall.

MYAU
I'm sorry.

ALIS
It's okay. I'm Alis. And this is Suelo. And she's right. I do need some sleep. Would you come with us back to our house in Camineet?

MYAU
Sure! Do you have anything to eat? You bought me before I could get breakfast.

ALIS
I'm sure something can be arranged. Just... it's probably best to keep quiet and not... talk... out on the streets, okay?

MYAU
Hmmph. City dwellers.

ALIS
Myau. Okay?

He stares at her for a moment, his mouth almost turned up in a mischievous grin. Then, he utters only a soft meow.

ALIS
I'll take that as a yes.

The three of them walk back towards the street.

FADE TO BLACK

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